That little girl.

I am that little girl.

The little girl who would have tea parties with little cups and teapots.

The girl who wanted to stay up late watching movies with mom and eating snacks.

The tall lanky girl who's always been bossy and passionate and a little bit awkward in her own skin.

The girl who would run to her father screaming "Daddy!" as he walked in the door home from work.

The girl who walks around with a book in one hand and an apple in the other. 

The girl who looks out for her younger siblings.

The girl who played music to breathe.

The girl who's in love with Orca whales.

I was that little girl at five years old, and I was that little girl at 12.

Now at 24, I'm having a hard time trying to see what is different. And I realize nothing is. I am that little girl, and I probably always will be.

Growing up, I realize it's not about growing up. It's about being who you are and who you've always been. It's about not changing from that child-like, free and fun nature - for the world can do you no wrong.

Even now as an adult, riddled with adult hardships, adult responsibilities, and adult hurts… I realize that the only way to fix them or overcome them is to be that little girl.

I think we as a group of adult humans have got it all wrong. It's not about growing up and letting go of that five-year-old girl and her passions and free spirit. It's about being her in a 24-year-old world.

I've got a little bit more wisdom, a little bit more broken pieces, and a little bit more story telling to do than I did at five.

But in the end I am me, no matter what age. The piano-playing, Orca-loving, free-spirited, book-reading, family-hugging, tea-drinking girl.

And boy do I love her.